Monday, November 18, 2013

Simple DIY skirt bustling

I'd been meaning to try out this idea on Crystaline's Steampunk blog (Japanese language) for a long time, and was prompted anew by Sheila's traveling yellow skirt bustle job. This is a quick and easy DIY for making a long skirt into a bustle skirt.
photo credit: Crystaline
   Long tiered skirts like this are plentiful in thrift shops around here. They aren't my style because I like asymmetry and butt-hugginess, and ideally both in one, but I did have one I fell in love with for its color, ribbons, and lace:
  I used clothespins to pick up where I wanted the skirt to bustle up, so I could step back and check the overall look. I wanted it to be slightly asymmetrical without looking like a sloppy mess.
 I added a little side hitching to keep the skirt out of the way and to make the back a slight train.  Then take needle and thread, and go to town! PROTIP: make sure not to sew your skirt to your mannequin.
  It keeps the skirt out of the way if you're going up stairs, too. Next I think I'm going to either bustle it in back or get a small hoop skirt to go underneath, because it hangs rather limply in back.

  In addition to sewing on top like this, you can also pull a fold of the skirt under itself and sew it to the inside, like so:
  I think you can try this on any long skirt with fabric that crinkles (jersey fabric would have a more folded/drapey look) and wherever you choose to pin your fabric up will make yours unique. Have fun and let me know if you try this!

14 comments:

  1. wow, that's a beautiful skirt! Looks great on you :)

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  2. Awesome upcycle! I love this skirt and the way you styled it with the hat, belt and footwear. Your sewing tip will come in handy too - I also have to remember not to pin something to myself.

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  3. I like the skirt that you chose for this. It adds to that overall look with the textural details. The cherry ombre on the skirt is gorgeous.

    Very SteamPunkish, especially with the boots and hat.


    bisous
    Suzanne

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    1. BTW I just visited that other blog and I am totally digging that outfit she created with the bustier. There might be a bit of steampunk in me.

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    2. Aren't her outfits amazing? She is the person who got me started off on the whole casual Steampunk kick.

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  4. So pretty! This will make me take a second look at any long tiered skirt I see at the thrift store. Also, I'm thinking a fun no-sew way to try this out would be with a small brooch or two (if the skirt material is not too delicate).

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    1. I dig this idea! I tried it once with my collar clips, but the fabric was too heavy to hold. Brooches would work well.

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  5. Wow, a simple and nice way to turn an ordinary skirt into something unique and interesting.

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  6. Wow! It's so true, I see that type of tiered skirt in thrift stores all the time, and I always pass it up as too blah and boring, but WOW! This really makes it stand out!

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  7. How fun is this!! I love the steampunk feel that is creates as well!
    -Jamie
    ChatterBlossom

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  8. Fabulous!! I wish I had some long skirts to do this with. It's a great idea. Hmm, I might have to get creative.

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  9. Or curtain pulls! You know I love how fun they look with a length of ribbon! So fun.

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  10. I love what you did with the skirt. My big ole but doesn't need bustles but wow what a cvute idea.
    Is your PROTIP based off of something real-life??

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    1. Oh you bet. There was tugging and swearing involved before I realized what I'd done.

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